M
ichigan’s southwest region overflows with exciting places to discover this summer, from freshwater adventures along and in Lake Michigan to railroad rides, camping in style or relaxing at a renovated inn, exploring bridges, taking a hike on a “nature superhighway,” wine-tasting, or savoring amazing cuisine. What more do you need? Here, several Michigan Blue magazine contributors suggest a few spots for memorable experiences.
The Fields of Michigan
Glamping in South Haven
The Fields of Michigan — a glamping operation located on an active, 50-acre blueberry farm near South Haven — offers both tent accommodations and new cottages designed by celebrated local interior designer Sarah Sherman Samuel and the award-winning architectural firm dSPACE Studio. Guests can enjoy the facility’s many resort-style amenities, which include a pool (added last year), upscale dining, and massage services at the on-site spa, plus the idyllic blueberry fields. A complimentary continental breakfast is provided at The Willow restaurant and bar, as are a la carte dinners. The restaurant’s supper clubs are a delightful experience, thanks to chef/sommelier Mindy Trafman. Meals are served outdoors at a communal table, where guests can take in the magic of the surrounding landscape while meeting new friends. “Being able to welcome guests from around the world and introduce them to my hometown of South Haven has been a dream,” says founder Irene Wood. “Inspired by my family’s farming heritage and the cultural events and natural beauty this region holds, we’ve become a place where people can authentically connect with nature, as well as a venue for countless guests’ milestone moments.” Open May 1 through Nov. 2.
fieldsofmichigan.com
— Giuseppa Nadrowski
Bridges of Calhoun County
Park It in Battle Creek
The 26-acrE Historic Bridge Park in Battle Creek is unique in the country for several reasons. First, it’s on the Kalamazoo River, where the 5-mile Calhoun County Trailway connects with the nation’s longest hiking path, the North Country Trail. And second, the park, which can be glimpsed by travelers crossing the river on I-94, has an unusual assemblage of five historic wrought iron and steel truss bridges featuring a variety of manufacturing techniques to honor the craftmanship of the past, says Vern Mesler, steel fabricating and welding instructor at Lansing Community College. Mesler — together with others who have worked to preserve the historic Michigan bridges, including the 240-ton 1886 Charlotte Highway Bridge at the entrance, which formerly spanned the Grand River — helps look after the collection. “Wrought iron was used on early road bridges because it was the popular metal to use, and it’s resistant to corrosion,” Mesler explains. The park’s oldest bridge is the 1880 Bauer Road Bridge, which crossed Clinton County’s Looking Glass River. There’s also a massive stone arch railroad bridge that’s part of the trailway. If you visit, you also can canoe or kayak the Kalamazoo River from the park and enjoy a picnic. Entry is free. calhouncountymi.gov/departments/parks/historic_bridge_park.php
— Bill Semion
Great Granola
Book a Renovated Inn in Saugatuck
The Forest Inn of Saugatuck (the former Sherwood Forest B&B) is now open, thanks to renovators and owners Eric and Tracy Lanning, lifelong west Michiganders. “Our love of exploring and experiencing inspired us to create a special place for like-minded travelers,” says Eric, who with Tracy and their construction team, over the winter of 2023/2024, conducted extensive renovations to a main house and the cottage. “Our biggest challenge was the sheer size of the project, combined with the aggressive timeline. We were two individuals — not a corporation — who happened to also be spouses and parents, pouring ourselves into a daunting venture in the faith that the result would be spectacular and worth all our exhaustion and expenditures.” Beyond the gorgeous renovation and idyllic southwest Michigan setting, you’ll want to try Eric’s cooking. “Our house specialty, which we make only on Sundays when we have a full house, is Baked Croque Madame,” Eric says, describing the French loaf that’s sliced and filled with ham and gruyere, baked French-toast style with bechamel, and served topped with a fried egg. Another guest favorite is his house-made granola. “We get a lot of requests for the recipe,” says the innkeeper, who shares it here. forestinnsaugatuck.com
— Megan Swoyer
Forest Inn Granola
(Makes 16 2-oz servings):
3 cups whole grain old fashioned rolled oats
½ cup walnuts, finely chopped
½ cup pecan chips
½ cup almonds, finely chopped
½ cup pistachios, roasted and salted, finely chopped
½ cup raw sunflower seeds
1 cup coconut flakes, sweetened or unsweetened
2 tbsp. ground cinnamon
2 tbsp. cocoa powder
½ cup maple syrup
½ cup vegetable oil
1 tbsp. salt
½ cup dried cranberries
½ cup golden raisins
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a large bowl, mix the oats, walnuts, pecan chips, almonds, pistachios, seeds, coconut, cinnamon, and cocoa powder. In small saucepan, heat and stir the syrup and oil. Stir the warm syrup/oil mixture into the oat mixture until well-combined. Pour the oat mixture onto a large baking sheet and flatten into a thin layer. Bake for 15 minutes. Stir, bake for 15 more minutes. Stir once more and bake for 8 more minutes. Remove from oven. Sprinkle salt evenly over the granola. Sprinkle the cranberries and raisins over the granola, and mix well. Serve warm or cool; pour into 1-gallon plastic bag for storage in the fridge. Can also be frozen.
Rich, Fruity Flavors
Follow the Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail
The Lake Michigan Shore Wine Trail is where wine enthusiasts and 15 top-notch wineries come together to celebrate the finest grapes produced in the area reaching from New Buffalo to Saugatuck and east to Kalamazoo. Nestled in this Lake Michigan Shore American Viticulture Area (AVA), the trail is a collection of large and small wineries dedicated to crafting incredible wines with locally grown fruit. Sitting at the 42nd parallel and hugging the southern tip of Lake Michigan, the region is the heart of Michigan’s wine country, home to 90 percent of the state’s vineyards. Lake Michigan creates a one-of-a-kind climate that’s perfect for growing grapes. This “inland ocean” works its magic year-round, keeping brutal winter chills at bay and stretching the growing season well into fall. And thanks to plenty of natural rainfall, the vines thrive, producing grapes packed with rich, complex flavors that create award-winning reds and whites. Whether you’re enjoying tastings by the glass or taking a bottle home, the staff at each winery is ready to answer questions, catering to everyone from newbies to sommeliers. Tastings range from $5 to $15 for four to six samples, while glass and bottle prices vary by winery. miwinetrail.com
— Chris McElmeel
Historic Rail Route
Experience a Vintage Train Ride in Coopersville
Hop aboard the Coopersville and Marne Railway for themed train rides that bring history — and murder mystery — to life. The approximately 12-mile train ride travels between Coopersville and Marne on tracks originally built in 1858. It’s one of the last tourist railroads in west Michigan, and keeping the railway going is a labor of love that’s been embraced by a dedicated group of volunteers. “It’s something you get to experience, and I think that brings a lot of joy to people,” says Kyle Rosol, general manager of the Friends of the Coopersville and Marne Railway. The railway owns and maintains the train track and most of the vintage passenger cars. The Friends, a nonprofit group, operates the train rides and repairs the track and equipment, including renovated train cars that date to the 1920s and ’30s. Themed train rides depart from the Coopersville station on select weekends. The excursions, which cater to all ages, last about 90 minutes and feature interactive performers. Refreshments are served in premium class. Trips include The Great Train Robbery in June, a Murder Mystery in July, the adults-only Oktoberfest Express and family-friendly Pumpkin Train in October, and the Santa Train during the holiday season. mitrain.net
— Marla Miller
A Walk on the Mild Side
Explore Ottawa County’s Shoreline//Photos courtesy of Mike Lozon
With jump-off points along the way, the Lakeshore Trail is a leisurely way to take in all the sights, sounds, and flavors of Ottawa County’s relaxing Lake Michigan shoreline. Bookended by Holland and Grand Haven, the 20-mile paved pedestrian path twists through rolling dunes and is shaded by a lush canopy of hardwoods. This super-chill,scenic superhighway is a real treat for nature lovers. Start your adventure from the south at Tunnel Park or Holland State Park, where sandy paths and lakeside views immediately set the tone. Farther along, Port Sheldon’s boardwalk over Pigeon Creek features some postcard-perfect views of untouched wetlands. Kirk Park is a nice stop with its sun-kissed beach, winding nature trails, and quiet picnic spots. Head north to Rosy Mound Natural Area with its spectacular forested dune trail. “West Michigan boasts a vast and expanding network of non-motorized trails, and the Lakeshore Trail is a true gem,” says Shannon Felgner, Ottawa County communications director. Just south, a detour along Butternut Drive heads toward downtown Holland, blending nature with small-town charm. visitgrandhaven.com/listing/lakeshore-trail
— Chris McElmeel
Set Sail on a Tall Ship
Capt. Cairns Awaits in St. Joseph
Sails and masts soon become props and the vintage-style replica schooner is her stage as Capt. Megan Cairns welcomes guests aboard the Tall Ship MJ. Clad in a T-shirt with the company’s logo and comfy jeans, she belts out, “Sail the seas, no other life for me … ” As waves lap the ship’s blue wooden hull, guests usually burst back with a version of “What will we do with a drunken sailor” as they begin a two-hour Lake Michigan sailing adventure from St. Joseph. The MJ, built in 1975, historically matches late 1800s models. Ever since Cairns shimmied the mast of a movie-set “Mutiny on the Bounty” replica at age 16, she was smitten with sailing. The MJ co-owner has more than 20 years of sailing experience, including stints on the Star of Saugatuck, Schooner Serenity, and Friends Good Will. After hoisting herself into years of boating experience, she scoured online ads for a schooner, then finally flew to Seattle and hauled one home in 2021. Tall Ship MJ hosts cruises, private events, and training programs. There are two daily trips available for six passengers from May through October, and guests can bring their own refreshments. After a safety talk and peeks below deck, guests “haul out,” gliding past two bridges and rippled sandy beaches. The fun begins as the schooner cruises past the picturesque red-and-white St. Joseph Lighthouse and into the arms of Lake Michigan, sails billowing. tallshipmj.com
— Sherry Miller
Receiving High Praise
Unique Cuisine in New Buffalo
PostBoy, in New Buffalo, launched by entrepreneur Ben Holland and chef/restaurateur James Galbraith, offers a playful take on New American food and cocktails. With outdoor fire pits, a welcoming patio, an interior inspired by modern Danish design, and a delectable menu with dishes such as maple tandoori chicken thighs and a prawn tiradito with leche de tigre and black garlic macha (Chef James’ favorite dish), it’s no wonder PostBoy has earned high praise since opening in November. “PostBoy was built to be a place for everyone, and you can feel that in the menu. It was a fun challenge blending chef-driven techniques with Midwest classics, creating dishes that feel familiar but bring something new to the table,” Galbraith says. Adds Holland: “PostBoy is the realization of a decades-long dream, and bringing it to life in downtown New Buffalo has been incredibly special. We wanted to create a restaurant that not only serves world-class food and drinks, but, more importantly, is just a really fun place to be.” See the restaurant’s website for its Abandon Ship guest chef dinner series, which welcomes top culinary talents from across the U.S. postboynb.com
— Giuseppa Nadrowski
